What am I doing wrong???

[mystery3]

I had to pull the steering column from my 1981 caddy to replace the lower bearing long story short, I mushroomed a bearing, got a new one pressed in, put everything back together but in reinstalling the column I'm having trouble.

Either I can attach the steering shaft to the u-joint and bolt everything up, or put the wheel on and bolt everything up but not both. It seems like the shaft is an inch too short which I know is not the case. Am I missing something? Any tips for forcing the u-joint towards the wheel or getting the wheel on with not enough shaft sticking out? I hope this makes sense. I'm struggling on this one.

[mystery3]

So for once the search function on whoretex seems to have come through for my. The shaft is collapsible...which would seem to relate to my problem quite well. Out to pull the shaft again.

[mystery3]

Found my problem. The shaft I'm working with I collapsed to 20.75" unmolested length should be 22" Hopefully someone can learn from my stupid mistake. Feel free to hurl insults or fart in my general direction.

[CRSMP5]

hook up to u joint and pull.. it will uncollapse..

[burn_your_money]

hook up to u joint and pull.. it will uncollapse..

Safely?

[mystery3]

I just grabbed one from the junkyard, there was a clean gasser four door, I also got a external release hood latch out of the deal. Got it all back together and it is so much smoother.

[R.O.R-2.0]

I just grabbed one from the junkyard, there was a clean gasser four door, I also got a external release hood latch out of the deal. Got it all back together and it is so much smoother.

those are quite rare pieces.. ive only seen one in my life.. stock on my 81 rabbit diesel. i love having an external pop hood latch.. it makes the car feel like more of a classic